Definitions

(adjective) each; every

Etymology

Depicts a foot () arriving at an entrance (). Based on the original meaning "arrive". The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character consists of an upper component , a foot pointing downward to signify arrival or descent, and a lower component , a mouth or a dwelling entrance. Together, they originally depicted a foot reaching an entrance, yielding the verb "arrive". This visual origin, however, does not relate to the character's current primary meaning. Today, is used purely as a phonetic loan for the pronoun and determiner "each" or "every", which marks out individual items within a group and treats them separately. The shift from "arrive" to "each" is a classic case of borrowing a character for its sound.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们的想法。

Wǒmen gè yǒu gè de xiǎngfǎ.

We each have our own thoughts.

种水果都很新鲜。

Gè zhǒng shuǐguǒ dōu hěn xīnxiān.

All kinds of fruits are very fresh.

这些问题有不同的答案。

Zhèxiē wèntí gè yǒu bùtóng de dá'àn.

These questions each have different answers.

同学们自回到了座位上。

Tóngxuémen gèzì huí dào le zuòwèi shàng.

The classmates each returned to their own seats.

位代表举手投票。

Qǐng gèwèi dàibiǎo jǔshǒu tóupiào.

Please raise your hands to vote, all representatives.

两国在个方面加强合作。

Liǎng guó zài gège fāngmiàn jiāqiáng hézuò.

The two countries are strengthening cooperation in all aspects.

位乘客,请保管好自物品。

Gèwèi chéngkè, qǐng bǎoguǎn hǎo gèzì wùpǐn.

Dear passengers, please take good care of your personal belongings.

国文化虽有差异,但应互相尊重。

Gè guó wénhuà suī yǒu chāyì, dàn yìng hùxiāng zūnzhòng.

Although cultures of different nations have differences, they should respect each other.